Guiseley pulled off a sensational triumph at Radcliffe, defeating the league leaders 4-3 in a gripping encounter at the Neuven Stadium, even with 10 men on the pitch.
Manager Andy Welsh expressed his satisfaction with the outstanding performance but emphasized the need for consistency. He stated, “We have to take the positives from today and carry them into Saturday, facing a tough game at Ashton.”
Just five minutes into the game, Kallan Murphy was brought down in the penalty box, leading to a penalty kick. Reece Kendall stepped up and confidently placed the ball into the bottom right corner, giving the Lions an early lead.
The game turned feisty after Leigh Whelan’s mistimed tackle sparked a heated reaction from Radcliffe. Unfortunately for Guiseley, Jameel Ible received a red card for his involvement, and two Lions shirts were torn in the ensuing scuffle. Despite the setback, the Lions remained resilient.
Radcliffe responded strongly, with Jordan Hulme’s close-range volley narrowly missing the crossbar after connecting with Jude Oyibo’s tricky cross. However, Lois Maynard levelled the score for Boro, taking advantage of a defensive mishap.
Divine intervention favored the hosts as a corner from Josh Hancock sailed over Lions defenders’ heads, finding the top corner to make it 2-1. Guiseley responded before halftime, with Kofi Moore earning a penalty, and Kendall once again coolly dispatching it to equalize.
The second half began with Guiseley reclaiming the lead in the first minute. Prince Ekpolo played a crucial role, threading the ball through to Moore, whose dangerous cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Radcliffe’s Ollie Thornley.
Ten minutes later, Guiseley extended their lead to 4-2 when Ollie Brown’s cross found Murphy, who confidently slotted the ball home. Despite Kendall’s long-range effort hitting the crossbar, Guiseley maintained their lead.
Radcliffe managed to pull one back with substitute Luca Navarro scoring from 20 yards. In the final minutes, Guiseley endured intense pressure, including a close-range header cleared off the line. Nevertheless, the Lions held firm, securing a remarkable victory.
Welsh praised his team’s resilience, stating, “It’s about showing that willingness to try, and to continue trying.” The thrilling 4-3 win will undoubtedly boost the spirits of Guiseley fans ahead of a crucial period in the season.
Full Time: Radcliffe 3-4 Guiseley
